Rotatable footplate integrated with a bearing assembly imbedded in a single-board sport board

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide a rotatable footplate integrated with a corresponding bearing and well assembly that is imbedded into, screwed into, or otherwise, integrally a part of, a single-board sports board, such as a snowboard.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of, and this application claimspriority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/829,419, which wasfiled on Mar. 14, 2013, titled “ROTATABLE FOOTPLATE INTEGRATED WITH ABEARING ASSEMBLY IMBEDDED IN A SINGLE-BOARD SPORT BOARD,” the entirecontents and disclosures of which are incorporated in full herein as iffully stated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention is single-board sports boards, suchas snow boards, and more particularly, rotatable footplates integratedwith a bearing assembly imbedded in a single-board sports board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide a rotatablefootplate integrated with a corresponding bearing and well assembly thatis imbedded into, screwed into, or otherwise, integrally a part of, asingle-board sports board, such as a snowboard.

Reference herein to snowboards will be understood to be illustrative andexemplary and not a limitation of the present invention. Rather,exemplary embodiments of the present invention could be implementedwithout departing from the spirit of the present invention with any typeof single-board sports board, such as, but not limited to, wakeboards,slalom water skis, surf boards, skateboards, and the like.

As will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art,single-board sports boarding comprises skillful applications ofrotational, lifting, downward and angular pressures to maneuver asingle-board sports board; descriptions hereinbelow regarding variousrotational and/or directional pressures, are illustrative of actions formaneuvering the exemplary rotatable footplate/bearing/well assemblyembodiments of the present invention and do not limit the types of otherskillful interactions that may be applied by a boarder to maneuver aboard.

As described further below, exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention would provide a single-board sports that comprises: a wellcomprising an interior race; a shaft comprising an exterior race; and aball-bearing bearing assembly comprising a cylinder that houses aplurality of ball bearings, said ball-bearing assembly positionedbetween said interior race and said exterior race, said ball-bearingassembly presenting said plurality of ball bearings for rotationalcontact with said interior race and said exterior race; a footplatewould be provided that would be integral to a top of the shaft.Exemplary embodiments would comprise the well at least partially below atop surface of the single-board sports board. In exemplary embodiments,the interior race and the exterior race would both be provided below thetop surface of the single-board sports board.

Alternative exemplary embodiments would provide a single-board sportsboard rotational footplate assembly that would comprise: a wellcomprising an interior race around an interior circumference of thewell; the well would further comprise threading around an exteriorcircumference of the well; a shaft comprising an exterior race; theshaft would underlie an integrated footplate; and a ball-bearingassembly that would comprise a cylinder that would house a plurality ofball bearings such that the ball-bearing assembly would be positionedbetween the interior race and the exterior race; the ball-bearingassembly would present the plurality of ball bearings for rotationalcontact with the interior race and the exterior race.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the present invention are more fully setforth in the following description of exemplary embodiments of theinvention. The description is presented with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary exploded graphic depiction of an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary graphic depiction of an exemplary partial sideperspective view of an exemplary footplate seated in an exemplary wellon an exemplary single-board sports board in an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary graphic depiction of an exemplary partialexploded perspective view of an exemplary footplate/exemplary shaft andan exemplary ball-bearing assembly in an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary graphic depiction of an exemplary perspectivecutaway view (such as along line C-C depicted in FIG. 11) of anexemplary partial assembly of an exemplary ball-bearing assembly seatedin an exemplary well in an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary graphic illustration of an exemplary partial sideperspective cut-away view (along line C-C depicted in FIG. 11) of anexemplary assembly of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary graphic depiction of an exemplary partialperspective view of an exemplary bearing assembly cylinder in anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary graphic depiction of an exemplary partialperspective exploded view of an exemplary ball bearing with respect toan exemplary bearing assembly cylinder in an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary graphic depiction of an exemplary partial topplan view of an exemplary bearing assembly cylinder in which anexemplary bearing is seated, in an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary graphic depiction of an exemplary partialperspective view of an exemplary bearing assembly cylinder in anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary graphic depiction of an exemplary partialperspective exploded view of an exemplary ball bearing with respect toan exemplary bearing assembly cylinder in an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary top plan view of an exemplary top surface of anexemplary rotatable footplate on an exemplary snowboard in an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary graphic illustration of an exemplary close-uppartial side perspective cut-away view (along line C-C depicted in FIG.11) of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary graphic illustration depicting an exemplarypartial top perspective view of an exemplary footplate 10 in anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an exemplary graphic illustration depicting an exemplary topplan view of an exemplary single-board sports board with twoillustratively depicted exemplary footplates in an exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an exemplary graphic illustration of an exemplary partialcutaway view (along, e.g., line J-J as depicted in FIG. 16) of a portionof an alternative exemplary bearing assembly in an alternative exemplaryembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is an exemplary graphic illustration of an exemplary perspectiveview of an alternative exemplary bearing assembly in an alternativeexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 14 is an exemplary graphic illustration depicting an exemplary topplan view of an exemplary single-board sports board 1 with twoillustratively depicted exemplary footplates 10 (with underlying shaft16/bearing assembly 20/well 50 assemblies—not shown in FIG. 14, but see,e.g., FIG. 1) in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Asillustratively depicted in FIG. 14, an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention would provide two exemplary footplates 10 (withunderlying shaft 16/bearing assembly 20/well 50 assemblies) on asingle-board sports board 1 (such as a snow board)—one for each foot ofa boarder (such as a snow boarder).

As will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art, singleboard sports borders may use bindings to attach to a board, and theninsert their shoed feet into the respective bindings. As illustrativelydepicted in FIG. 14 (and see also FIG. 11), exemplary threaded holes 80would be provided in the exemplary footplate(s) 10 to facilitatesecurement of respective bindings (not shown) into each respectivefootplate (10).

Exemplary placement of exemplary footplates 10 (with integrated bearingassembly 20/well 50) on exemplary board 1 as depicted in FIG. 14 isillustrative and non-limiting; various alternative integratedfootplate/bearing assembly placements on a board could be providedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, it would bepossible to place a single exemplary integrated footplate/bearingassembly on a board without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary exploded graphic depiction of an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 1, an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention would provide an exemplary rotatablefootplate 10 on an exemplary snowboard 1 in an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. As depicted in FIG. 1, an exemplary footplate 10would comprise an exemplary footplate surface 11. An exemplary footplate10 would be integrally molded onto an exemplary cylindrically-shapedshaft 16. An exemplary shaft race 15 would be provided around theexterior circumference of the exemplary cylindrically-shaped shaft 16.

The exemplary footplate 10 depicted in FIG. 1 is depicted in anexemplary circular shape. However, without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention, alternative exemplary footplates could beprovided in other shapes (not shown), such as, for example, in a shapeof a footprint; such alternatively-shaped footplates would be integrallymolded onto an exemplary shaft, such as exemplary cylindrically-shapedshaft 16.

The exemplary shaft 16 is depicted in an exemplary cylindrical shape.However, without departing from the spirit of the present invention,alternative exemplary shafts could be provided in a generallycylindrical shape with facets (e.g., which, if viewed from above, wouldform a multisided polygon) that would provide an exemplarycylindrically-shaped shaft race, such as exemplary shaft race 15 thatwould form a cylinder around the alternative-shaped shaft.

Returning with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 further depicts an exemplarybearing assembly 20 in an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionthat would fit (as depicted by exemplary lines B-B) within an interiorcircumference of an exemplary base 50, sometimes referred to herein asexemplary well 50.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the exemplary cylindrically-shaped shaft 16 wouldfit (as depicted by exemplary lines A-A) within an interiorcircumference of the exemplary bearing assembly cylinder 40 of theexemplary bearing assembly 20.

In the exemplary embodiment, the exemplary base 50/well 50 would bemolded into, or would otherwise comprise an integral part of, asingle-board sports board body (such as a snow board body). However, inalternative embodiments, a threaded hole could be bored into an existingsnow board body; and an alternative exemplary well (not shown) wouldcomprise exemplary exterior circumference threading (not shown) forfastening the exemplary alternative well into the exemplary threadedhole bored into the snow board body.

As depicted in FIG. 1, exemplary bearing assembly 20 would provide anexemplary bearing assembly cylinder 40 into which a plurality ofexemplary ball bearings 30 would be rotatably held.

Exemplary bearing assembly 20 would comprise a tambourine-styleequal-spaced placement of ball bearings 30 spaced around the exemplarybearing assembly cylinder 40. FIGS. 6-10 illustratively depict variousclose-up side perspective (FIGS. 6-7), top plan (FIG. 8) and sideperspective cut-away views (FIGS. 9-10) of an exemplary bearing assemblycylinder 40.

As will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art, theillustrative tambourine-style equal-space placement of ball bearings 30in exemplary bearing assembly 20 as illustratively depicted in FIG. 1 isillustrative and exemplary and is not a limitation of the presentinvention. Rather, there are other ways in which to provide acylindrically-shaped bearing assembly without departing from the spiritof the present invention. For example, ball bearings could be providedwith variable spacing in between the bearing seating-holes.

As a further alternative, an alternative bearing assembly could providea continuous series of ball bearings as illustratively depicted in FIGS.15 and 16. FIG. 15 is an exemplary graphic illustration of an exemplarypartial cutaway view (along, e.g., line J-J as depicted in FIG. 16) of aportion of an alternative exemplary bearing assembly 20′ in analternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 16 is anexemplary graphic illustration of an exemplary perspective view of analternative exemplary bearing assembly 20′ in an alternative exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. As depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16,such an alternative bearing assembly 20′ could comprise an alternativeexemplary bearing assembly cylinder 40′ that would house on eachopposing side a series of ball bearings 30. Such an alternativeexemplary bearing assembly 20′ would work similarly to the exemplarybearing assembly 20 described herein except that ball bearings aroundthe interior 24 of the alternative bearing assembly 20′ would bepresented for contact with the exemplary shaft race 15 (depending on thepressure asserted on the relevant footplate); ball bearings around theexterior 23 of the alternative bearing assembly 20′ would be presentedfor contact with the exemplary well race 55.

In the exemplary embodiment, the exemplary well 50 would be molded intoa fiberglass snow board body; the exemplary cylindrically-shaped bearingassembly 20, and the exemplary footplate 10 and shaft 16 would comprisehardened nylon. In an alternative threaded-well embodiment (describedabove for threading an exemplary well into a threaded hole bored into anexisting snowboard, the exemplary threaded-well could comprise hardenednylon. Further, as will be understood by someone with ordinary skill inthe art, in other exemplary embodiments, the exemplarycylindrically-shaped bearing assembly 20, the exemplary footplate 10 andshaft 16, and the exemplary well 50 could comprise various materials,including but not limited to, for example, fiberglass, plastic, and/orother materials, whether now known or in the future discovered, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention.

In the exemplary embodiment, the exemplary ball bearings would omprisesteel ball bearings. However, as will be understood by someone withordinary skill in the art, in alternative exemplary embodiments, ballbearings could comprise other materials, including without limitation,plastic, glass, other types of metals, and other types of materials,whether now known or in the future discovered, without departing fromthe spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary graphic depiction of an exemplary partial sideperspective view of an exemplary footplate 10 seated in an exemplarywell 50 on an exemplary single-board sports board 1 in an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary graphic depiction of an exemplary partialexploded perspective view of an exemplary footplate 10/exemplary shaft16 and an exemplary ball-bearing assembly 20 in an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary perspective viewof exemplary ball bearings 30 seated in an exemplary bearing assemblycylinder 40 in an exemplary bearing assembly 20 with respect to anexemplary exterior race 15 (comprising an exemplary portion, such as,for example, an upper race lip 17) in an exemplary shaft 16 thatunderlies an exemplary footplate 10 (with exemplary footplate surface11). As depicted in FIG. 3 (and see also, e.g., FIGS. 1, 5, 12 and 13)exemplary exterior race 15 (also sometimes referred to herein as anexemplary shaft race 15) would comprise a portion, such as, for example,an exemplary upper race lip 17, against which some portion of some ofthe exemplary ball bearings would sometimes contact.

The exemplary bearing assembly 20 would present one side (see, e.g.,FIG. 12, element 34) of a ball bearing 30 seated within the exemplarybearing assembly cylinder 40 for contact with the exemplary shaft race15, such as, for example, with exemplary upper race lip 17 at exemplarycontact point 100.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary graphic depiction of an exemplary perspectivecutaway view (such as along line C-C depicted in FIG. 11) of anexemplary partial assembly of an exemplary ball-bearing assembly 20(comprising exemplary ball bearings 30 seated in an exemplary bearingassembly cylinder 40) seated in an exemplary well 50 in an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 depicts an exemplaryperspective view of exemplary ball bearings 30 with respect to anexemplary interior race 55 around an exemplary interior circumference ofthe exemplary well 50 (sometimes referred to herein as the exemplaryinterior race 55 or the exemplary well race 55). As depicted in FIG. 4(and see also, e.g., FIGS.1, 5 and 12), exemplary interior race 55 wouldcomprise a portion, such as, for example, an exemplary lower lip 56,against which some portion of some of the exemplary ball bearings wouldsometimes contact.

The exemplary bearing assembly 20 would present a side (see, e.g., FIG.12, element 32) of a ball bearing 30 seated within the exemplary bearingassembly cylinder 40 for contact with the exemplary well race 55, suchas, for example, with exemplary lower lip 56 at exemplary contact point110.

As depicted in e.g., FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the exemplary single-boardsports board 1 would comprise an upper surface 2; the exemplary shaftrace 15, the exemplary ball bearings, and the exemplary well race 55,when assembled, would be imbedded in, and in some exemplary embodiments,would be below the surface 2 of the board 1.

FIGS. 6-10 are exemplary graphic depictions of various exemplary viewsof an exemplary bearing assembly cylinder 40 in an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. FIGS. 6-7 and 9-10 depict exemplary partialperspective views of an exemplary bearing assembly cylinder 40 in anexemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 7 and 10 furtherillustratively depict various partial perspective exploded views of anexemplary ball bearing 30 with respect to an exemplary bearing assemblycylinder 40 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8depicts an exemplary partial top plan view of an exemplary bearingassembly cylinder 40 in which an exemplary bearing 30 is seated, in anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As depicted in FIGS. 6-7 and 9-10, an exemplary bearing assemblycylinder 40 would comprise exemplary bearing seating holes 45 boredthrough from one side surface (e.g. the exterior side surface 46) of theexemplary bearing assembly cylinder 40 to the opposing side surface(e.g. the interior side surface 47) of the exemplary bearing assemblycylinder 40. Exemplary bearing seating holes 45 would comprise a sizesufficient to house an exemplary ball bearing 30 so that the exemplaryball bearing 30 would be freely rotatable inside the respectiveexemplary bearing seating hole 45.

As depicted in FIG. 8, an exemplary exterior surface 32 of an exemplaryball bearing 30 would protrude through the exemplary exterior sidesurface 46 of the exemplary bearing assembly cylinder 40; an exemplaryinterior surface 34 of an exemplary ball bearing 30 would protrudethrough the exemplary interior side surface 47 of the exemplary bearingassembly cylinder 40.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary graphic illustration of an exemplary partial sideperspective cut-away view (along line C-C depicted in FIG. 11) of anexemplary assembly of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.As depicted in FIG. 5, an exemplary exterior surface 32 of an exemplaryball bearing 30 would protrude through the exemplary exterior sidesurface 4 of the exemplary bearing assembly cylinder 40 for potentialcontact with an exemplary interior race 55 around an exemplary interiorcircumference of the exemplary well 50.

As further depicted in FIG. 5, an exemplary interior surface 34 of anexemplary ball bearing 30 would protrude through the exemplary interiorside surface 47 of the exemplary bearing assembly cylinder 40 forpotential contact with the exemplary exterior race 15 around theexemplary exterior circumference of the exemplary shaft 16.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary graphic illustration of an exemplary close-uppartial side perspective cut-away view (along line C-C depicted in FIG.11) of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Asillustratively depicted in FIG. 12, if a downward pressure (such as by asnow boarder's foot) is applied to the exemplary footplate surface 11 ofexemplary footplate 10, such as along line D, such a downward pressurewould cause an exemplary contact point 100 between an exemplary portion,such as between an exemplary upper lip 17, of the exemplary exteriorrace 15, of the exemplary shaft 16 of the exemplary footplate 10 with anexemplary bearing 30, and would further cause an exemplary contact point110 between exemplary bearing 30 and an exemplary portion, such asexemplary lower lip 56, of the exemplary interior race 55 of exemplarywell 50. Accordingly, a downward pressure would cause similar exemplarycontact points between the exemplary upper lip 17 of exemplary exteriorrace 15 with various of the exemplary bearings 30, and between theexemplary bearings 30, with the exemplary lower lip 56 of the exemplaryinterior race 55 of exemplary well 50 as further described below withrespect to FIG. 13. Such various contact points under such a downwardpressure on the exemplary footplate 10 would facilitate rotation indirections E or F, as the case may be, according to rotational twistingmotions applied by an exemplary boarder's foot to the exemplaryfootplate 10.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary top plan view of an exemplary top surface of anexemplary rotatable footplate on an exemplary snowboard in an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. As illustratively depicted in FIG.11, exemplary threaded holes 80 would be provided in an exemplaryfootplate 10. Exemplary threaded holes 80 would facilitate securement ofrespective bindings (not shown) into an exemplary footplate 10.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary graphic illustration depicting an exemplarypartial top perspective view of an exemplary footplate 10 in anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 illustrativelydepicts exemplary ball bearings 30 under exemplary footplate surface 11and under an upper race lip 17 of exemplary exterior race 15 ofexemplary shaft 16. FIG. 13 further illustratively depicts an exemplaryillustrative rotational line G-G of pressure that could be applied, suchas, for example, by a boarder's foot, to exemplary footplate 10. FIG. 13further illustratively depicts exemplary pressure points H-1-H-1′,H-2-H-2′, . . . H-8-H-8′, created according to exemplary rotational lineG-G, between various points (e.g., H-1′, H-2′ . . . H-8′) along theupper race lip 17 of exemplary exterior race 15, and various exemplaryball bearings 30.

As illustratively depicted in FIG. 13, as a boarder (such as a snowboarder; not shown) rotationally applies pressure along exemplaryrotational line G-G (a bi-directional rotational line, depicting that aboarder could choose to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise) toexemplary footplate 10, exemplary footplate 10 would tend to rotate in adirection (clockwise or counterclockwise, as the case may be accordingto the rotational direction of the boarder's foot) along rotational lineG-G in view of pressure rotationally applied to the various points(e.g., H-1′, H-2′ . . . H-8′) along the upper race lip 17 of exemplaryexterior race 15. Such rotation in a direction (clockwise orcounterclockwise, as the case may be) according to the rotationaldirection of the boarder's foot) along rotational line G-G in view ofpressure rotationally applied to the various points (e.g., H-1′, H-2′ .. . H-8′) along the upper race lip 17 of exemplary exterior race 15would cause respective contacts with, and resulting rotation of, thevarious exemplary ball bearings 30, which would cause exemplary rotation(clockwise or counterclockwise, as the case may be) of exemplaryfootplate 10. In view of such rotation of exemplary footplate 10, theexemplary boarder would be able to rotate their footing position on theboard and would, thereby, facilitate maneuvering of the board 1.

As will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art, by aboarder rotationally repositioning the boarder's feet (binding/shoe/feetassemblies) in exemplary footplate/bearing/well assemblies of thepresent invention, the exemplary boarder would be able to maneuver theunderlying board.

Returning with reference to FIG. 1, as will be understood by someonewith ordinary skill in the art, there would be various ways in which toassemble the above-described exemplary footplate 10/shaft 16 assemblywith an exemplary bearing assembly 20 (or with reference to FIG. 16,alternative bearing assembly 20′), and an exemplary base 50/well 50(collectively, the disclosed components) such that, once assembled, theentire assembly would resist disassembly. One way in which to soassemble the disclosed components would be with a press fit.

Another way to so assemble the disclosed components would be, withreference to FIG. 4, to fit the exemplary cylinder 40 inside theexemplary well 50, and then put (e.g., pop them in with a slight force)the exemplary bearings 30 in their respective exemplary bearing seatingholes 45 (see FIGS. 6-7 and 9-10), and then insert the exemplary shaft16 inside the exemplary cylinder 40 (see FIG. 3) so that the exemplaryshaft race 15 (see FIG. 3) is aligned with the exemplary bearings 30(see e.g, FIG. 3 and FIG. 12). With the exemplary embodiment, asdepicted, for example, in FIG. 8, the exemplary bearings would protrudeslightly (see, e.g., bearing sides 32 and 34 in FIG. 8) from each sideof the exemplary cylinder 40; with the bearings so protruding from eachside of the exemplary cylinder 40, their sides would rest in therespective shaft race 15 and the exemplary well race 55 (asillustratively depicted, e.g., in FIG. 12) and would resist extractionof the exemplary shaft 16 and/or the exemplary cylinder 40 from the fullassembly.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment (not shown), another way forassembling the disclosed components would be to provide a series ofdrop-in slots (and optionally, detents) (not shown) that when properlyaligned, would facilitate inserting an exemplary cylinder 40 into anexemplary base 50/well 50, and would, when further properly aligned,facilitate inserting an exemplary footplate 10/shaft 16 inside theexemplary cylinder 40, and would, when further properly aligned,facilitate then dropping exemplary ball bearings through one or moreslots into one or more one or more races 15 and/or 55 (and/or races 41and 42 as depicted in an alternative exemplary cylinder 40′ shown inFIG. 16) and/or into one or more openings in an exemplary cylinder 40;once exemplary bearings 30 and the exemplary footplate 10/shaft 16 areseated in their respective places, the exemplary bearings 30 wouldresist disassembly of the exemplary shaft 16 from the cylinder (e.g., 40(FIG. 1) or 40′ (FIG. 16)) and would resist disassembly of the exemplarycylinder (e.g., 40 (FIG. 1) or 40′ (FIG. 16)) from the exemplary base50/well 50.

Other ways to assemble the disclosed components would be used withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention.

Facsimile Reproduction of Copyright Material

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection by the copyright owner, CharlesD. Cole, III, and his successors and assigns. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

Illustrative Embodiments

Although this invention has been described in certain specificembodiments, many additional modifications and variations would beapparent to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understoodthat this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed. Moreover, to those skilled in the various arts, the inventionitself herein will suggest solutions to other tasks and adaptations forother applications. Thus, the embodiments of the invention describedherein should be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention to be determined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents rather than the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rotational footplate assembly for a sportsboard, said rotational footplate assembly comprising: a hollow member atleast partially imbedded below a top board surface of said sports board,said hollow member comprising a cylindrically-shaped interior wall, saidcylindrically-shaped interior wall comprising an interior race around aninterior circumference of said cylindrically-shaped interior wall, saidhollow member at least partially housing a shaft and ball-bearingassembly within the interior circumference of said cylindrically-shapedinterior wall of said hollow member; said shaft comprising an exteriorrace, said shaft underlying an integrated footplate, said footplatecomprising a top footplate surface; and said ball-bearing assemblycomprising a cylindrically-shaped device that houses a plurality of ballbearings, at least some portion of said ball-bearing assembly positionedbetween said interior race of said hollow member and said exterior raceof said shaft, said ball-bearing assembly presenting at least some ofsaid plurality of ball bearings for rotational contact with saidinterior race of said hollow member, said ball-bearing assemblypresenting at least some of said plurality of ball bearings forrotational contact with said exterior race of said shaft, said hollowmember accommodating freely-rotatable movement of said footplateaccording to freely-rotatable contact of at least some of said pluralityof ball bearings with said exterior race of said shaft and furtheraccording to freely-rotatable rotatable contact of at least some of saidplurality of ball bearings with said interior race of said hollowmember.
 2. The rotational footplate assembly for a sports board of claim1, wherein: said hollow member further comprises an exteriorcircumference, said exterior circumference further comprising threading,said threading corresponding to opposing threading in a receiving wellformed at least partially below-surface of said sports board.
 3. Therotational footplate assembly of claim 1, wherein said top footplatesurface is higher than said top board surface.
 4. The rotationalfootplate assembly of claim 1, wherein said top footplate surface iseven with top board surface.
 5. A rotational footplate assembly for asports board, said rotational footplate assembly comprising: a hollowmember comprising a cylindrically-shaped interior wall, saidcylindrically-shaped interior wall comprising an interior race around aninterior circumference of said cylindrically-shaped interior wall, saidhollow member at least partially housing a shaft and a ball-bearingassembly within the interior circumference of said cylindrically-shapedinterior wall of said hollow member; said shaft comprising an exteriorrace, said shaft underlying an integrated footplate; said ball-bearingassembly comprising a cylindrically-shaped device that houses aplurality of ball bearings, at least some portion of said ball-bearingassembly positioned between said interior race of said hollow member andsaid exterior race of said shaft, said ball-bearing assembly presentingat least some of said plurality of ball bearings for rotational contactwith said interior race of said hollow member, said ball-bearingassembly presenting at least some of said plurality of ball bearings forrotational contact with said exterior race of said shaft, said hollowmember accommodating freely-rotatable movement of said footplateaccording to freely-rotatable contact of at least some of said pluralityof ball bearings with said exterior race of said shaft and furtheraccording to freely-rotatable contact of at least some of said pluralityof ball bearings with said interior race of said hollow member, saidhollow member further comprising an exterior circumference, saidexterior circumference further comprising threading, said threadingcorresponding to opposing threading in a receiving well formed at leastpartially below-surface of said sports board.